Richard Gasquet went off into the sunset after losing to the world number one Jannik Sinner. There was a lot of love for the 38-year-old who graced the courts for just over two decades.
Homage
No sooner have our tear ducts recovered from Day 1's Rafael Nadal love-in than we are overwhelmed anew with tributes to Richard Gasquet. The 38-year-old retired from the ATP circuit following his straight sets defat to the top seed Jannik Sinner on centre court. "It's a little strange," said Gasquet. "Because there is no stress tomorrow. There is no recovery. There is no training. There is no lawn tennis." Sounds like the lyrics of a song from The Cure. But Gasquet isn't plummeting into existential darkness. Far from it. "I'm very calm about the decision to stop," he added. "And I'm very happy to stop today on this court against the number one in the world. The stadium, the court was full. It was good weather. I'm very happy."
There's a new kid in town
As one French darling goes off, the fans have a lusty replacement in the shape of Arthur Fils. The 20-year-old entered the 2025 French Open as his country's top player. Never having won a match in his previous two visits in 2023 and 2024, he is into the third round following an epic five setter against the experienced Spaniard Jaume Munar who didn't take too kindly to the partisans and their frenzy on Court Suzanne Lenglen as Fils came from a beak down in the decider. "It's fine if they encourage the other player, if they shout, I'm used to it," Munar said. "In South America it's very intense as well. But what I consider a complete lack of respect -– and here it happens often – is that they sing non-stop. They interrupt continuously. It's not even a question of emotional or personal impact, it's simply that play cannot go on as normal." After completing the victory in four hours and 25 minutes, Fils tore off his shirt and, roaring his delight, paraded his sweat-drenched chest around the court to ... you guessed it ... raucous cheering. Asked for the insider's analysis of proceedings a few hours later, Fils said: "I won the two first sets. I lost the two other. Was a bit tough in the fifth. Came back from a break down, and I did a crazy celebration. Here we are." How very next gen.
Candidate
Alexander Bublik might be a natural fit for the 8pm night session. His second round clash with the ninth seed Alex De Minaur was the first match on Court 14 at 11am. Not at all good. "For me, at 11am it's super complicated to play," Bublik admitted. "I am not awake at that time." The early start could have accounted for the loss of the first two sets. But then again, maybe not. "Alex is probably one of the most uncomfortable opponents for me," Bublik grimaced. "He makes me work hard, runs for every shot and doesn't give up." Bublik turned the tables on the 26-year-old Australian and won in five sets to reach the third round for the first time in eight visits. "This win, I'm sure, is one of the best that I had in the Grand Slam tournaments and maybe overall on the tour," he yawned.
Teen dreams in the late afternoon
Teen sensation Joao Fonseca eliminated Pierre-Hugues Herbert from France. It finished 7-6, 7-6, 6-4 in just under three hours. The victory took the 18-year-old into the third round in his first Grand Slam tournament. "It was a lot of emotions, going to the third round," beamed Fonseca. "I saw my grandmother and she was crying. And it's my mom's birthday, so it makes it more special. So being in the third round is just incredible."
Clash
Young Joao will play young Jack Draper in the third round. The fifth seed came through a searching examination of his resilience and patience with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory over the French showman incarnate Gael Monfils. Draper had to save two set points in the fourth set as he battled from 3-5 down to take it 7-5. "I don't think I'm going to sleep tonight," said the 23-year-old after the three hour and 11 minute tussle. "My brain is fried. Gael plays slowly and then hits really hard. That's why he's had such a great career and why people love to watch him. But to play against him ... not so good." Draper, like Fonseca, will also play in the third round for the first time. "Of course at times I was frustrated ... but I reminded myself this is why I put in the hard work to play against the likes of Gael here on centre court." How the crowd loved that.
